"Assassin's Creed Shadows Introduces Transmogging: Change Weapon Stats While Retaining Appearance"

Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces a captivating feature for players: transmogging, allowing you to maintain the stats of your preferred weapons while adopting the aesthetic of another. Dive deeper into what this game offers for player progression and customization.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Provides A Deep Dive on Progression

Transmogging and Weapon Customization

Assassin’s Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) offers a comprehensive look at its progression system, spotlighting the ability for players to transmog their weapons. This feature enables you to align the aesthetics of your weapons with your preferred stats. On March 1, 2025, AC Shadows released a detailed overview on their website about how player progression and customization function within the game. AC Shadows Associate Game Director Julien shared the team's vision and detailed the game's extensive customization options.

The game's transmog feature lets players adjust the stats of their weapons. If you're fond of a weapon's performance but not its appearance, you can alter its look while retaining its original stats. To unlock this feature, players must construct a Forge in the Hideout, which then becomes accessible through the inventory menu.

Julien emphasized, "The Forge is central to managing your inventory. It's where you can upgrade or dismantle weapons and gear, and we'll dive deeper into the Hideout's functionality in an upcoming article." Players can also mix and match weapon components, creating unique combinations such as "the blade of one weapon, with the guard of another, and the handle of a newly acquired one," as stated in the official post.

New Progression Loop

Earlier, AC Shadows’ Creative Director Charles Benoit discussed the game’s combat mechanics and progression at IGN Fan Fest 2025. Ubisoft's latest post delves further into the mechanics of player progression.

Julien explained the challenge of managing two protagonists in the game's feudal Japan setting, saying, "Having two separate characters with unique archetypes pushed us to rethink our approach to player progression." She added, "Our goal was to stay as close as possible to the philosophy of mastery and martial art."

Mastery, Abilities, and Knowledge Ranks

AC Shadows introduces unique mastery trees for its two protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, tailored to their archetypes—Naoe as a shinobi and assassin, and Yasuke as a samurai.

Julien elaborated, "With the unique Mastery trees, we want to give players the freedom to focus on a specific weapon, playstyle, or archetype, and deepen their mastery of it." She continued, "The points you invest in a Mastery tree unlock additional bonuses for that weapon or archetype, reinforcing your progress."

Abilities within the Mastery trees provide new gameplay dynamics and increased damage to enemies. However, accessing certain abilities and Mastery tree points requires reaching specific Knowledge Rank levels. These ranks can be elevated through non-violent activities like discovering Lost Pages in temples, praying at Shrines, engaging in Kuji-kiri Meditation for Naoe, or learning new Kata for Yasuke.

Customizing Your Playstyle

AC Shadows allows players to craft their ideal playstyle through various customization features. Perks enable players to "modify, enhance, or specialize a piece of equipment," offering stat improvements, influencing afflictions, or creating different gameplay conditions that encourage varied playstyles.

While Naoe and Yasuke start with defined archetypes, players can experiment with different builds. The game showcases potential builds for each character, highlighting the extensive customization options. Naoe can adopt an exotic combat style, focusing on ground attacks for quick engagement and disengagement. Conversely, Yasuke can be tailored for stealth and ranged combat, with perks and abilities enhancing his stealth and archery skills.

With the recent reveals about AC Shadows, anticipation is high among fans eager to experience this long-awaited game.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is scheduled for release on March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest on Assassin’s Creed Shadows by checking out our article below!